How to say “What does that mean?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to ask what something means is essential for building vocabulary and confidence in conversation. This article explains natural ways to say what does that mean in Brazilian Portuguese, shows when to use each phrase, and provides real-life examples and short dialogues to help you sound more like a native. Follow the examples and usage notes to ask for explanations politely and clearly in Brazil.

Basic ways to ask what does that mean

Start with the most direct and commonly used phrases. These work in everyday conversations, classrooms, and when you need quick clarification.

Direct translation: O que significa isso?

O que significa isso? is the most straightforward way to ask what something means. Use it when pointing at a word, a sentence, a gesture, or any concept you don’t understand.

Example:

Você vê uma palavra no cardápio:
O que significa isso?

Usage note: This phrase is neutral and polite. It can be used with strangers, teachers, classmates, and friends.

Another common option: O que é isso?

O que é isso? literally asks what something is. It is slightly more general than asking for a meaning but often used to request clarification about unfamiliar words or objects.

Example:

Alguém mostra um objeto estranho:
O que é isso?

Usage note: Use this phrase for objects, words, concepts, or when you want a brief explanation about identity rather than a definition.

Polite and formal: Você pode explicar o que é isso?

Você pode explicar o que é isso? adds politeness and asks for an explanation rather than a one-word meaning. It is suitable in formal settings, classrooms, or when addressing someone older or unfamiliar.

Example:

In a meeting you hear a technical term:
Você pode explicar o que é isso?

Usage note: This phrase invites a longer answer and shows respect. If you want to be even more formal, use Senhor or Senhora with the verb, for example, Você poderia explicar, Senhor?

Casual and colloquial alternatives

Brazilian Portuguese has many informal ways to ask what something means. These are useful with friends and in relaxed settings.

Short and casual: Que significa?

Que significa? is a shortened version of O que significa isso? It is quick, informal, and commonly used in conversation among friends.

Example:

Friend shows a slang word on their phone:
Que significa?

Usage note: Avoid this in very formal situations. It works well for quick clarifications.

Very informal: Como é que é?

Como é que é? is a colloquial phrase that can express confusion or request repetition. Depending on tone, it can mean what did you say or what does that mean.

Example:

Someone says a word you didn’t catch:
Como é que é?

Usage note: This expression is casual and very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. It can sound abrupt if used with strangers, so use it mainly with peers.

Slangy and playful: Isso quer dizer o quê?

Isso quer dizer o quê? rearranges the question for a playful or curious tone. It is informal and often used in conversational contexts.

Example:

Heard a surprising comment:
Isso quer dizer o quê?

Usage note: This is conversational and expressive. It can show curiosity or mild disbelief depending on intonation.

Asking for the meaning of words and phrases

When you want to ask specifically about vocabulary, idioms, or slang, use phrases that specify words or expressions.

Asking about a word: O que significa a palavra X?

Replace X with the target word. O que significa a palavra X? clearly asks for a definition or explanation of a single word.

Example:

Student asks teacher:
O que significa a palavra ressentimento?

Usage note: Use this in classrooms or study settings. It signals that you want the linguistic meaning.

Asking about a phrase or idiom: O que quer dizer a expressão X?

Use O que quer dizer a expressão X? when asking about idioms, colloquial expressions, or set phrases that aren’t literal.

Example:

Hearing a local idiom:
O que quer dizer a expressão dar com a língua nos dentes?

Usage note: This phrase points to idiomatic meaning rather than a literal translation.

Asking for translation: Como se diz X em português?

When you want to know how to say an English word or phrase in Portuguese, use Como se diz X em português? Replace X with the English term.

Example:

Asking how to say computer:
Como se diz computer em português?

Usage note: This is helpful for learners expanding vocabulary or checking correct usage.

Politeness and tone: softening your question

How you phrase a question affects politeness. Here are useful ways to sound polite or make your request less direct.

Using conditional verbs: Você poderia me dizer o que significa X?

Você poderia me dizer o que significa X? is a polite, indirect way to ask for meaning. It uses the conditional verb poder to soften the request.

Example:

Asking a colleague:
Você poderia me dizer o que significa essa palavra?

Usage note: Great for professional or semi-formal interactions.

Adding thank you: Obrigado, pode me explicar?

Combine a polite opener with the request: Obrigado, pode me explicar? or for female speakers, Obrigada, pode me explicar?

Example:

After someone helps you:
Obrigado, pode me explicar melhor?

Usage note: Expresses gratitude and invites a clearer explanation.

Short dialogues: everyday situations

Short dialogues help you see how these questions appear in real conversations. Each example uses natural Portuguese lines with English explanations above or below.

At a restaurant

Waiter shows the menu:
O que significa risoto?
Waiter replies:
Risoto é um prato de arroz cremoso, típico da culinária italiana adaptado aqui.

In class

Student asks teacher:
O que quer dizer ‘saudade’?
Teacher replies:
Saudade é um sentimento de falta de alguém ou algo, difícil de traduzir em uma palavra só.

With friends

Friend shows slang:
Que significa ‘dar ruim’?
Friend replies:
Dar ruim quer dizer que algo deu errado, não funcionou como esperado.

Pronunciation tips and rhythm

Pronunciation matters for being understood. Brazilian Portuguese is syllable-timed with clear vowel sounds. Here are quick tips for the key phrases.

O que significa isso?
Say each word clearly: O (oh) que (keh) sig-ni-fi-ca (see-nee-FEE-kah) is-so (EE-soh).

Como se diz X em português?
Como (KOH-moo) se (seh) diz (dees) X em (ehm) por-tu-guês (por-too-GEHS).

Practice these phrases slowly then speed up until they sound natural. Notice how Brazilian speakers often link words together and reduce unstressed vowels in casual speech.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often make predictable errors. Here are common mistakes and corrections to help you speak more accurately.

Mistake: Using English word order literally.
Correction: Remember that O que significa isso? places the object after the verb phrase.

Mistake: Forgetting to match gender and number when referring to words.
Correction: Use a palavra or a expressão when you need to specify. For example, O que significa a palavra alegria? or O que quer dizer as expressões populares?

Mistake: Overusing direct translations like What means this?
Correction: Stick with natural Portuguese phrases such as O que significa isso? or Que significa?

Additional useful phrases for clarification

Besides asking what something means, these phrases help you ask for repetition, examples, or simpler explanations.

Pode repetir, por favor?
Ask this when you didn’t hear or understand: Pode repetir, por favor?

Você pode dar um exemplo?
Ask for an example: Você pode dar um exemplo?

Pode explicar de outra forma?
Ask for a simpler explanation: Pode explicar de outra forma?

Usage note: These follow-up questions are very helpful when learning new vocabulary or complex concepts.

Regional variations and colloquial notes

Brazil is large and expressions can vary by region. While the phrases above are widely understood, you may encounter local variations.

In the South and Southeast, people often speak with a faster rhythm and drop some unstressed vowels in casual speech. In the Northeast, intonation might be more melodic. None of these differences affect the basic phrases like O que significa isso? but you may hear different slang or regional vocabulary in responses.

Some regions prefer more direct or more polite forms depending on local culture and context. When in doubt, default to polite forms like Você pode explicar o que é isso?

How to respond when someone asks you

Knowing how to answer is as important as asking. Here are simple ways to reply when someone asks what something means.

Short definition:
Significa X.
Example: Significa alegria, felicidade.

Longer explanation:
Significa X. É quando…
Example: Significa saudade. É quando você sente falta de alguém ou de algo.

Giving examples:
Significa X. Por exemplo: …
Example: Significa trabalhar demais. Por exemplo, quando você fica no escritório até tarde todos os dias.

Practice suggestions to build confidence

Use these conversational strategies to get comfortable asking about meanings.

1. Carry a small list of key phrases and practice them aloud before you need them.
2. Role-play short dialogues with friends or language partners focusing on asking and answering meanings.
3. When watching Brazilian media, pause and ask O que significa isso? aloud for unfamiliar words, then look up and repeat.

These habits make asking for clarification natural and will rapidly expand your active vocabulary.

Conclusion

Asking what something means is a simple but powerful skill in Brazilian Portuguese. Start with basic phrases like O que significa isso? and O que é isso?, learn polite variations such as Você pode explicar o que é isso?, and practice casual forms like Que significa? Use follow-up questions when needed and listen for regional differences. With the examples and dialogues in this article, you will be better prepared to ask for meanings naturally and confidently in everyday situations.